











THE 


SUPERLATIVE COLLECTION 

OF 


UNITED STATES 
HALF CENTS 

COMPLETE IN 

ALL DATES and VARIETIES 

OF THE LATE 
F. R. ALVORD, Esq. 

YORK, PENNA. 

Sold by Order of the Heirs 

CATALOGED BY 
S. H. CHAPMAN 

NUMISMATIST 


And to be Sold at Public Auction in His Offices 
1128 SPRUCE ST., PHILADELPHIA 
By Davis & Harvey, Auctioneers 


MONDAY, JUNE 9, 1924 

Commencing at 3.30 o’clock p. m., d. 1. s. 


.As 


4 8 12 3 


Copyright 
S. H. CHAPMAN 
1924 


©Cl A9B7522 

SCALE 



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PREFACE 


The late F. R. Alvord, Esq., of York, Pa., who died suddenly 
on November first, devoted great and keen attention to the form¬ 
ing of a complete collection of Half Cents of the United States. 
He endeavored to obtain all the varieties in every condition of 
the dies, or as the engravers and collectors speak of prints, in 
the various states of the die and in different orders of impression. 
His perseverence in the purpose was certainly crowned with 
success, for the collection is the most complete, and, in the proofs 
of the Half Cents of 1840 from the original dies, it is the only 
complete series that has ever reached auction as far as I can 
trace, and certainly at no sale within the last generation. There 
is in each date at least one or more specimen extraordinary for 
its preservation, which will be pleasing to the collectors who 
do not collect more than one specimen in each year. In the 
year 1793 he has no less than eleven specimens nearly all of 
which are in very fine or uncirculated condition, two of them 
are in the very highest and most beautiful state of preservation, 
and of all the 1794’s and 1795’s the same remarks may be made. 

As a matter of fabrication of the coins is of direct concern 
to us while studying the finished pieces it may be interesting to 
describe the striking of the coins, particularly the method of 
lettering the edges. The blanks, as has always been done, 
were first punched out from the rolled metal, which had been 
rolled out in proportion to the desired thicknes of the coins. 
These blanks or planchets were then passed through the milling 
machine in which they were rolled edgewise between the edges 
of two flat guides that bore on them the letters, and as the pieces 
passed between them, the edges were impressed and slightly 
turned up and made thick so as to fill the border on the dies; 
the edge was therefore lettered separately and then the pieces 
were, for the third stage, fed into the coining press and of course 
it was of no consequence and no care was taken to keep this 
impression reading in one way from the obverse of the struck 
piece. 

Mr. Alvord thought it interesting enough, however to obtain 
specimens of each position ot the edge to the obverse or reverse. 
To define it I have found it best to use the term he had on his 
tags “reading with the obverse uppermost” or “the reverse up¬ 
permost,” for some of the other terms employed have been am¬ 
biguous. 

I have endeavored to carefully examine and verify every 
variety. In 1795, Gilbert No. 2, I saw that this piece with its 
incorrect weight as to either the old or the new standard was 
doubtful, and upon close examination I found that the edge had 
been ground off, obliterating the inscription and causing the 
loss of ten grains in weight from the heavy standard, and then, 


so as to bring it to the full diameter, it had been struck a blow 
with a hammer to flatten it out to make up the loss in the dimen¬ 
sion. 

I then sent for the specimen in another collection from which 
Mr. Gilbert took his description and found that it had been 
similarly treated but the forger had not entirely eliminated the 
traces of letters. It had lost the same amount of weight and had 
also been hammered to flatten it out to size. In my opinion, 
therefore, the number does not exist. I mention it thus fully so 
that collectors will not be seeking it vainly and to expose the 
fraud. 

The Half Cents should receive the same attention as the 
cents and possess a distinct interest in the early dates in the 
1793’s and 1795’s, 1796’s and 1797’s. The dies are not close 
copies of those of the cents but the engraver Scott has allowed 
himself the same freedom of execution as he allowed himself 
in the 1794 Cents, and they are quite different in treatment from 
the cents. 

The 1793’s are just as rare as the cents of the second type 
by Scott, whilst the two dies of 1796 are rarer than any date 
of the cents. 

I have arranged five plates of specimens, giving the obverse 
and reverse, which will be printed by direct contact to show the 
exact preservation and state of the die of each. With these I 
will issue one plate of the cents of the Simpson collection which 
will be bound in his catalogue, the sale of which will be held 
the same day, and for the six plates will charge two dollars, 
with price list, after the sale $2.50. 

The sale will be held by order of the heirs and the coins will 
be sold to the highest bidder. Should any dispute arise and the 
contestant having been vouched for by another bidder, the lot 
will be put up for competition. As is usual, the right is reserved 
for the Auctioneer and the Cataloguer to execute orders and to 
bid for their own account. 

I guarantee every specimen to be genuine and original, ex¬ 
cept the re-strikes, which are so described. 

Yours faithfully, 

S. H. CHAPMAN. 

Numismatist. 


HALF CENTS 


Comprising all the dates, varieties and states of the Die. The 
only complete set of original dates ever offered. 70 important 
specimens are on the plates. References to “HALF CENTS” by 
the late E. Gilbert. 

17 9 3 

Head of Liberty 1., over shoulder pole with cap. LIBERTY, 
above; below 1793. Rev. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 
wreath of olive enclosing HALF CENT, below 1/200. Borders 
of beads, always complete with space outside. Edge TWO 
HUNDRED FOR A DOLLAR two leaves. Size 14, Weight 104 
grs. Designs the same as the cent of the year of the second de¬ 
sign, by Scott. The head after the Libertas Americana medal. 

1 G. No. 1. Obv. Die in which line of nose and forehead 

points to 1. 

Rev. Inscription comes down underneath the wreath, 
stem joins A. 

Edge reads with obv. uppermost. Very fine. Light 
brown. Rare. Wt. 105. R. 4. 

2 G. No. 1. Edge reads reverse uppermost, HUNDRED FOR 

A DOLLAR, the last syllable doubled. Very fine. 
Sharp. Light scratch on neck and on 3 behind head. 
Slight dinge on edge below point of bust. Dark 
brown. Rare. Wt. 106. 

3 G. No. 1. Edge reads with reverse uppermost. Very good. 

Rare. 

4 G. No. 2. Same obverse die. 

Rev. Inscription high, U and A in line with knot of 
wreath, long stems and ribbon ends widely apart. 

Edge perfectly struck, reads obverse uppermost. Very 
fine. Light yellow brown. Very rare. Wt. 107 
R. 4. 

5 G. No. 2. Edge reads with Rev. uppermost. Broad, spread. 

Size 14y 2 . Brown. Fine. 

6 G. No. 3. Obv. Die in which line of forehead points to B. 

Rev. No. 1. 

Edge reads Rev. uppermost. One-eighth turn to r. 
Extremely fine. Light brown olive. Rare. Wt. 100. 
R. 5. 

7 G. No. 3. Same. Very good. Brown. Wt. 107. R. 5. 


6 


HALF CENTS OF 1793 


8 G. No. 4. Obv. Same die. 

Rev. Wreath smaller with leaves lighter off centered to 
left; stem touches U. 

Edge reads with obv. uppermost. Uncirculated. Per¬ 
fectly struck with broad margin as usual. Light 
orange olive. Most beautiful specimen. One of the 
finest known. Wt. 103. R. 5. 

9 G. No. 4. Edge reads reverse uppermost. Heaviest weight 

114. Very fine. Planchet cracked from cap to bor¬ 
der, like a scratch, and small one from border near¬ 
ly to L. Light brown. 

10 G. No. 4. Good. Wt. 101. 

11 G. No. 4. Rev. Border broken above F to E. 

Edge reads with obv. uppermost. Splendid, even im¬ 
pression. Very fine. Four pin pricks in field before 
face. Brown. Rare. Wt. 104. R. 4. From the 
Jenks’ Collection. 

17 9 4 

Note: The arrangement of the dies of 1794 by the late Mr. E. 
Gilbert is most palpably out of order. His No. 1 die should be 
last, as it resembles later dies of the cents as my monograph of 
the 1794 cents No. 29, whilst the other three dies belong to the 
earlier part of the year, though none of them closely approach 
the 1793 style. He also has the order of the states of the first 
die misplaced most palpably for he himself notes under No. 1 
“this die is also known with a crack from the border through 
the Liberty cap,” which would show that it is the last state of 
this die. No. 3 is in the finest state of the die and should be No. 
1. No. 2 is correct and No. 1 should be No. 3. For convenience 
of reference with the published work of Mr. Gilbert, I place the 
specimens of 1794 in his order. 

12 G. No. 1. Small head in high relief. 

Rev. Wreath of large, single leaves and with 9 berries, 
T in cent leans to the left; point of 1 touches ribbon. 

Edge reads from obverse uppermost. Very good brown. 
R. 3. 

13 G. No. 1. B. Die cracked from border through cap. Un¬ 
circulated. Magnificent, even impression. Lustrbus, 
light olive brown color with trace of original red. 
Very rare condition. R. 3. 

G. No. 1. B. Edge reading reverse up. Very good, dark 
color. 


14 


HALF CENTS OF 1794 


7 


15 G. No. 2. Same obverse in earlier state. 

Reverse, leaves in pairs, one touches H; 12 berries; crack 
from border through E in UNITED to wreath. 

Edge reads with reverse uppermost. Fine. R. 7. 

16 G. No. 2. Edge reads with obverse uppermost. Very good. 

17 G. No. 3. Obverse in perfect state. 

Reverse similar to No. 1. 11 berries; T in cent distant 

and leans to right. 

Edge reads with reverse up; R T close. Very fine, brown 
olive. R. 7. 

18 G. No. 3. Edge reads with obverse uppermost; ornament 

after DOLLAR. Very good. Light brown. 

19 G. No. 3. Reverse. Break from border through second T 

in STATES to A in HALF. 

Edge, ornament after A and DOLLAR. Fine. Brown. 

20 G. No. 4. Large head with long front to bust; 9 low. 

Reverse. 12 berries with leaf nearly touching top of H. 

Topmost leaves almost touch. 

Edge reads with obverse uppermost. Very fine. Black. 
R. 3. 

21 G. No. 4. Edge reads with reverse uppermost. V. g. 

22 G. No. 4. Reverse. Die cracked from S to O. 

Edge reads with reverse uppermost. 

Edge. F on top of D. Uncirculated. Splendid impres¬ 
sion with beautiful light brown color. Very rare 
state. R. 3. 

23 G. No. 4. Reverse. Also cracked from border through M to 

wreath. 

Edge reads obv. uppermost. V. g. Brown. 

24 G. No. 5. Obv. Similar head, third curl has long end, 7 low. 

Rev. Same as No. 1. 

Edge reading with obv. uppermost. V. g. Five dents on 
neck. Brown. R. 3. 

25 G. No. 5. Edge. Much larger letters. Reads with rev. up¬ 

permost. V. g., eroded surface. 

26 G. No. 5. Edge with small letters. Reads with rev. upper¬ 

most. V. g. 

27 G. No. 5. Edge reads with obv. uppermost. Fine. Brown. 

28 G. No. 6. Obv. Three lowest locks all heavy at ends. Date 

1 79 4. 

Rev. Same as No. 2. 

Edge reads with rev. uppermost. Very good. Dark olive. 
R. 5. 

29 G. No. 6. Edge reads with obv. up. Good, obv. badly cor¬ 

roded. 


8 


HALF CENTS OF 1794 


30 G. No. 7. Obv. same as No. 6 . 

Rev. same as No. 4. 

Edge reads obv. up. V. g. Large, deep dent in chin. 
R. 4. 

31 G. No. 8 . Obv. same. 

Rev. same as No. 3. 

Edge reads with obv. uppermost. Very fine. Olive. 
R. 5. 

32 G. No. 8 . Edge reads with rev. up. V. g. 

33 G. No. 8 . Same. Stamp large I B on each side. Otherwise 

fine. 

34 G. No. 9. Mass of hair on back of neck low. Second curl 

long, extends beyond lowest. Date widely spaced. 
Rev. similar with 8 berries. 

Edge with large letters, reads rev. uppermost. Very fine. 
Dark Brown. R. 4. 

35 G. No. 9. Edge reads obv. uppermost. V. g. 

36 G. No. 9. Edge, letters small reading from obv. Fine. 

Slight defect on edge. 

37 G. No. 9. Same. Has been flattened by hammering. 

17 9 5 

38 G. No. 1. Small head of Liberty r. Cap on pole, the figure 

1 a capital I. 

Edge TWO HUNDRED FOR A DOLLAR leaf, reads rev. 
uppermost. Uncirculated, splendid impression with 
broad borders. Beautiful brown color. Very rare 
state. Wt. 11 D /2 grs., standard 104. R. 3. 

39 G. No. 1 . Same. Broadly spread. Size 15. Fine. Brown 

olive. Wt. IO 6 J /2 grs. 

40 G. No. 1. Edge reads obv. up. Very good. 105 grs. 

41 G. No. 1. Eroded and burnished. Wt. 98 grs. 

42 G. No. 2. Note: Same dies. Edge plain. Mis-struck left, 

border off and on right border with margin. Wt. 
94 grs. Edge has been scraped away and it has lost 
10 grs. in weight and cannot be considered an im¬ 
pression with plain edge. It also is 10 grs. heavier 
than the new standard. I have examined the one 
from which Mr. Gilbert took his description. It is 
also falsely altered showing traces of letters, there¬ 
fore, in my opinion, the number does not exist. With¬ 
drawn. 

43 G. No. 3. Obv. Date equally spaced and with a long break 

after 1 like a comma and two small dot breaks over 
R. 

Rev. Same. Perfect. Rare. 

Edge reads Rev. uppermost. Good. R. 3. 


HALF CENTS OF 1795 


9 


44 G. No. 3B. Rev. Die sunken at AMER. 

Edge reads reverse uppermost. Unc. Perfect impression 
with broad borders and light, orange brown color. 
Beautiful specimen. Very rare condition. Wt. 106. 
R. 3. 

45 G. No. 3B. Uncirculated. Broad borders. Light, orange 

olive. Eroded spot on cap. 

46 G. No. 3B. Flake on left border. Good. 

47 G. No. 4. Obv. Same with comma. 

Rev. Two top-most leaves, horizontal, almost meet point 
to point; lowest leaf right points to C; 7 berries. 
Edge plain. New standard weight 85 grs. Com¬ 
plete, broad borders. Very fine. Light brown. R. 4. 

48 G. No. 5. Obv. Same as No. 1, but the die has been slightly 

ground down, eliminating the pole before neck. 

Rev. 3 berries inside of left branch of wreath, 3 inside 
right and 3 outside. Lowest leaf points to left foot of 
A. Uncirculated. Broad border, not struck up below 
bust. Beautiful specimen. Light olive color. Wt. 
80 grs. R. 3. 

49 G. No. 5. Struck over a Talbot, Allum & Lee token, which 

has been cut down. Shows out-line of stern of ship 
before bust; behind YORK. Very fine, brown. Broad 
borders. 

50 G. No. 5. Similar. Shows LUM &, “ork” behind bust. 

Very fine, light brown olive. 

51 G. No. 5. Same. Trace of letters below date. Good. 

52 G. No. 6. Obv. same, without pole. 

Rev. same as No. 4, with break more pronounced from 
TA across wreath to R. Borders broad. Size 15. 
Extremely fine. Light olive with traces of red. Very 
rare condition. R. 3. 

53 G. No. 6. Thick planchet, weight 106 grs. Fine. Slight 

corrosion above head. Very rare weight. 

54 G. No. 7. Obv. same as No. 4, with pole to cap. 

Rev. small wreath clear of all letters, with long stems 
pointing below U-A. Fair. Badly corroded and 
burnished. Excessively rare, only two specimens 
known. R. 7. 

55 G. No. 8. Obv. same as No. 3 with comma after 1. 

Rev. same as No. 1. The die is sunken MER to border 
as in No. 3. Uncirculated, proof surface. Border is 
broad, splendid impression. Thin planchet, plain 
edge, wt. 82 grs. This should be No. 4. 


10 


17 9 6 


56 G. No. 1. Bust of Liberty 1. with pole to cap. 

Rev. leaves point to N and C. Good. Black. Very rare. 
R. 6. 

57 G. No. 2. Bust without pole to cap. Die cracked across 

lower point of cap and under nose. 

Rev. same. Very fair. Extremely rare. R. 9. 

17 9 7 

58 G. No. 1. Obv. bust r. low in field, date close to it. 

Rev. UN close together, the U below line. 

Edge. Lettered, reads Obv. uppermost. Fine. Olive 
brown. Very rare and one of the best known. R. 9. 
Plate. 

59 G. No. 1. Good. Very rare. 

60 G. No. 1. Very poor. Rev. shows traces of being struck 

over a misstruck cent cut down. 

61 G. No. 1. Edge reads Rev. uppermost. Good. Very rare. 

62 G. No. 2. Same dies. Break from chin to border. 

Edge plain. Very good. Very rare. R. 4. 

63 G. No. 2. Oval depression across head, contains rolled out 

depression of E-N from ONE CENT. 

Rev. impression of border across center. Curious. V. g. 

64 G. No. 3. Obv. head centered. 

Border broad. Fine. Dark brown. R. 4. 

65 G. No. 3. Struck over Talbot, Allum & Yee cent, reduced. 

Shows ORK between pole and 7. Very fine. Dent 
on rev. above LF. Borders broad; brown. R. 4. 

66 G. No. 3. Good. 

67 G. No. 3. Double struck profile. Poor. 

68 G. No. 4. Obv. 1 above 1. 

Rev. same as No. 3. Very fine. Brown. R. 2. 

69 G. No. 4. Fair. 

70 G. No. 4. Obv. Die broken from border through B. to head; 

bulge left of L. Very fine. Brown. G. 1. 

71 G. No. 4. Same. Very good. Brown. 

72 G. No. 4. Similar, also breaks from nose to throat. Fine 

Brown. G. No. 2. 

Note: No half cents were struck during 1798-1799. 

1800 

Bust of Liberty to right, draped; the hair tied with ribbon 
at back of head; above LIBERTY, beneath date. Rev. similar. 

73 G. 1. Uncirculated. Light orange olive, partly red. 


half cents of 1800 


11 


74 G. No. 1 Uncirculated. Lustrous brown color. Plate III. 

75 G. No. 1. Very fine. Olive Brown. 

Note: No half cents were struck in 1801. 


18 0 2 

76 G. No. 1. Obv. 2 in date over 0. 

Rev. large broad leaves. 1/8 turn to right. V. g. Dent 
on throat. R. 4. 

77 G. No. 1. Obv. and Rev. correspond correctly. Good. 

78 G. No. 1. On Rev. ST of another coin, within the wreath. 

Poor. 

79 G. No. 1. Die rusted. Very good. Light Brown. 

80 G. No. 2. Rev. of 1800 with fine leaves. V. g., scratched in 

r. field. Very rare. R. 10. (This should be No. 1.) 

18 0 3 

81 G. No. 1. Uncirculated. Small nick on cheek and neck. 

Light brown. Scarce. R. 3. 

82 G. No. 1. Rev., half turn. Very good. 

83 G. No. 2. Rev. large fraction. Unc. Purple-red color. 

Scarce. R. 2. 

84 G. No. 2. Obv. slightly double struck. Good. 

85 G. No. 2. Rev. break from border between ST. across 

wreath between AM to border. Very fine. Scarce. 

86 G. No. 3. Dies perfect. Fine. Scarce. R. 2. 

87 G. No. 3. Bulge involving 18. V. g. 

88 G. No.3. Obv. same. Rev. faint crack from F in half up¬ 

wards between AT to border. Unc. Brown. Lus¬ 
trous. 

89 G. No. 3. Also cracked from border to ribbon. V. f. Brown. 

90 G. No. 3. Cracked behind ribbon more developed. V. f. 

Brown. Two pieces. 

91 G. No. 3. Same. Break from border to right end of L. 

Fair. Eroded. 

92 G. No. 3. With last break but bulge broken out over 18. 

Fair. 

93 G. No. 4. Obv. same as No. 1. Rev. first berry outside of 

left, attached to third pair of leaves. V. f. Obv. 
slightly eroded. Very rare. 

94 G. No. 4. Good. Brown. 

95 G. No. 4. Obv. Rev. Obv. incused. Fine. Light brown. 


12 


18 0 4 


96 G. No. 1. Obv. plain 4. 

Rev. with stems to wreath. V. f. R. 4. 

97 G. No. 2. Obv. same. 

Rev. without stems; close 200. Unc. Light olive. R. 2. 

98 G. No. 2. Same. Extremely fine. Also Obv. slightly double 

struck. Good. 2 pieces. 

99 G. No. 3. Obv. crosslet 4. 

Rev. without stems to wreath. Unc. Light olive. R. 2. 

100 G. No. 4. Rev. with stems to wreath. Unc. Orange. R. 2. 

101 G. No. 4. Unc. Light olive. 

102 G. No. 5. Obv. 4 distant from 0. Ex. fine. Orange. R. 2. 

103 G. No. 5. Break just beginning over RTY. Fine. Brown. 

104 G. No. 5. Break over RTY includes edge. Another same 

with break through IBER. Fine. Two pieces. 

105 G. No. 6. Obv. 4 with crosslet touches bust. 

Rev. of 1803, No. 3. Break on Rev. slight. Good. Two 
pieces. R. 4. 

106 G. No. 6. Rev. break on rev. Unc. 

107 G. No. 6. Same. Break on rev. very heavy. State C. 

108 G. No. 7. Slight crack along tops of LIBER. Unc. Red. 

R. 2. 

109 G. No. 7. State B. Die broken out above LIBER. Very 

fine. Olive. 

110 G. No. 8. Obv. “Spiked chin,” break in die projects from 

chin, another appears as if tongue were thrust out. 
Rev. slight break over F in OF. Fine. R. 3. State A. 

111 G. No. 8. Following states as described by Gilbert, No. 1, 

2, 3, 5 (2), 6, 7, 8. Fine to very fine. 8 pcs. 

112 G. No. 9. Obv. same with “spiked chin.” 

Rev. Group of three leaves under stand of F in OF, slight 
crack over O to A. Fine. Some small nicks. Ex. 
rare. R. 9. 

113 G. No. 9. State B. Rev. badly broken out over TES, O to I. 

Good. Very rare. 

114 G. No. 10. Obv. 4 lowest. 

Rev. letters detached, numerator equi-distant from knot 

and dividing line. Very good. Brown. Very rare. 
R. 6. 

G. No. 11. Obv. No. 7. 

Same as No. 10. Good. Very rare. R. 7. 


115 


13 


18 0 5 

116 G. No. 1. Obv. small 5. 

Rev. without stems to wheath. Unc. Beautiful light 
yellow. Olive. R. 2. 

117 G. No. 1. Same. Unc. Strong impression. Dark brown. 

118 G. No. 1. Rev. wreath, AMERIC slightly double-struck. 

V. f. 

119 G. No. 2. Large 5 touches bust. Rev. stems to wreath. 

Very fine. Sharp. R. 2. 

120 G. No. 2. Duplicate. Very fine brown. 

121 G. No. 3. Obv. wide date with small, distant 5 with long 

top. Rev. same. V. good. Very rare. R. 7. 

122 G. No. 3. Good. Very rare. 

18 0 6 

123 G. No. 1. Obv. Small 6. 

Rev. same as Rev. of No. 2 of 1804, without stems. Very 
fine. Light brown. R. 2. 

124 G. No. 1. State B. Rev. die broken along edge above capi¬ 

tals RICA-O. Unc. Sharp. 

125 G. No. 1. Same. Unc. Light, orange olive. 

126 G. No. 2. Obv. Small 6. Upright of R over first wave. 

Rev. Wreath with stems. Fine. Black. 

127 G. No. 3. Obv. Large 6 which joins bust. Rev. similar, 

four berries on left branch. Unc. Orange, partly 
red. R. 2. 

128 G. No. 3. Rev. quarter turn to right. Fine. 

129 G. No. 3. State B. Die cracked through ERTY. Good, 

bent. 


18 0 7 

130 G. No. 1. Only die. Rev. same as No. 3 of 1806. Unc. 

L. o. Stained above head. R. 2. 

18 0 8 

131 G. No. 1. Obv. small 8 over 7. Very fine. R. 4. 

132 G. No. 1. State B. Die broken over TY. V. g. 

133 G. No. 2. Large 8 joins bust. Unc. Strong impression. 

Brown. R. 2. 

134 G. No. 2. V. fine. Light brown. Lustrous. 

135 G. No. 2. Rev. 1/8 turn to left. Fine. 

136 G. No. 2. Rev. Obv. incused. Good. 


14 


18 0 9 

Head of Liberty 1., hair loose and the head bound with a 
fillet on which is LIBERTY; beneath, date; to 1., in front of face, 
7 stars; behind head, 6 stars. Rev. UNITED STATES OF AMER¬ 
ICA. Within complete wreath of olive formed of a single branch 
HALF CENT. 

137 G. No. 1. 1809 over 1808, all the figures re-punched. Die 

cracked across neck to highest curl over ribbon. 
Rev. highest leaf ends in line with 1. side of o. Unc. 
Light olive. R. 3. 

138 G. No. 2. Obv. date perfect. Rev. leaf ends 1/3 space 

from S. to 0. Ex. f. strong. Orange. R. 2. 

139 G. No. 2. Rev. 7/8 upside down to Obv. Unc. 

140 G. No. 2. Rev. y 4 turn to left. V. f. 

141 G. No. 2. State B. Border broken from top of head to 

third star to right. V. f. 

142 G. No. 3. Rev. leaf projects slightly beyond S. V. f. V. r. 

R. 5. 

143 G. No. 3. State B. Crack along second to fourth star to r. 

Rev. upside down. Fine. 

144 G. No. 3. State C. Crack extends along all stars r. Rev. 

border broken D-S. Unc. Light brown. 

145 G. No. 4. Obv. widest date, 9 close. Unc. Light olive. 

R. 3. 

146 G. No. 5. Obv. distant 9 over 8. Should be Gilbert No. 2. 

Rev. same. Ex. f. R. 3. 

18 10 

147 G. No. 1. Unc. Stars on right weak as always. Brown. 

Scarce. R. 3. 

148 G. No. 1. Rev. y 4 turn to left. V. f. Steel color. 

18 11 

149 G. No. 1. Fine. Black. Rare. R. 4. 

150 G. No. 1. Very good. Brown. Rare. 

151 G. No. 2. Obv. wide date, first one distant. Broad borders. 

V. f. Strong, stars all centered. Brown. V. rare. 
R. 6. 

152 G. No. 2. State B. Die broken on border involving tops of 

four stars 1., fine. V. r. R. 6. 

153 Re-strike of No. 1. Rev. of 1802. Dies rusted. Unc. Light 

olive. Rare. 

Note: No half cents were struck between 1811-1825. 


15 


18 2 5 

154 G. No. 1. Uncirculated. Light olive. Scarce. R. 1. 

155 G. No. 1. Very fine. Orange color. 

156 G. No. 2. Curl in top of 5; distance from 1 to left hand 

star is 3/16. Ex. f. Orange. R. 3. 

157 G. No. 2. Unc. Scarce. 

158 G. No. 2. Rev. % turn to right. Fine. 

18 2 6 

159 G. No. 1. Very fine. Brown olive. R. 2. 

160 G. No. 1. Rev. y 4 turn to right. Ex. f. 

161 G. No. 1. State B. Scratch on nose across cheek to bor¬ 

der. Unc. Light olive. Lustrous. 

162 G. No. 2. Rev. highest leaf terminates under r. edge of last 

S in STATES. Same die as 1828 No. 2. Unc. Sharp 
impression. Very rare. R. 5. 

18 2 8 

163 G. No. 1. Unc. Bright red. Two small dents above head. 

R. 3. 

164 G. No. 1. Unc. Rev. slightly double struck. Light or¬ 

ange olive. 

165 G. No. 1. Unc. Orange olive. 

166 G. No. 2. Unc. All stars sharp. Orange. 2 pcs. R. 1. 

167 G. No. 3. 12 star variety, 5 on right side. Unc. Light olive, 

partly red. R. 3. 

18 2 9 

168 G. No. 1. Unc. Sharp, all stars centered. Brown. Lus¬ 

trous. R. 1. 

169 G. No. 1. Unc. Orange olive. 

170 G. No. 1. Mis-strike, collar broke. Border and stars r. off. 

Note: None struck in 1830. 

18 3 1 

171 G. No. 1. Original. Brilliant Proof. Rich purple color. 

Very rare. R. 8. 

172 G. No. 1A. Re-strike. Original obverse. 

Rev. of the style of the original, but is a different die. 
End of topmost leaf in line with 1. side of S. Wreath 
ends under center of A. in America. Die cracked 
from border between TE to wreath and from border 


16 


HALF CENTS OF 1831 


downwards through F to L, between NT to wreath; 
HALF CENT, double cut. Brilliant proof Light olive, 
partly bright red. Excessively rare, only about three 
known. No rev. like it on Gilbert’s plates, though 
description under the restrike with “rev. of 1852.” 
On an addenda slip he subsequently describes and il¬ 
lustrated it with a photograph. 


18 3 2 


173 G. No. 1. Uncirculated. Orange brown. 

174 G. No. 1. Very fine. Same color. 

175 G. No. 1. State B. Break from border between TE and 

STATES. Ex. f. 

176 G. No. 1. Mis-struck. Broad margin around lower edge. 

V. g. 

177 G. No. 2. Uncirculated. Beautiful light orange brown. 

178 G. No. 2. Extremely fine. Sharp. 

179 G. No. 3. Rev. D double cut also ES. V. f. Rare. 

18 3 3 

180 G. No. 1. Brilliant proof. Red. Scarce. State. 

181 G. No. 1. Proof. Olive steel color. 

182 G. No. 1. Uncirculated. Olive brown. 


18 3 4 


183 G. No. 1. Brilliant proof. Bright red. Rare. 

184 G. No. 1. Uncirculated. Orange brown. Sharp. 2 pcs. 

18 3 5 


185 

186 

187 

188 

189 

190 


G. No. 1. Proof. Bright red. Rare. 

G. No. 1 Uuc. sharp. Light olive, partly red. 

G. No. 2. Unc. olive, partly bright red. 

G. No. 2. Unc. Obv. red, rev. olive. Another brown. 2 
pcs. 

G. No. 2. State B. Rev. cracked from border to second T 
in States. Ex. f. 

G. No. 2. Very thin planchet. Wt. 42 grs. Unique. 


18 3 6 


191 G. No. 1. Original. Proof. Obv. bright red. Rev. olive 
partly red. Very rare. 


18 4 0 


17 


Head of Liberty 1., wearing diadem on which LIBERTY, in 
low relief, around 13 stars. Reverse UNITED STATES OF 
AMERICA. Wreath composed of single branch, 4 large berries 
outside, and 6 berries inside, tied with ribbon enclosing HALF 
CENT. Reverse same design as in 1809. Borders serrated with 
broad rim. By Gobrecht. This reverse was used for all the 
original proofs from 1840 to 1849 and for 1852. 

192 G. No. 1. Original. Brilliant proof. Obv. olive partly red. 

Rev. iridescent. Very rare. 

193 G. No. 2. Re-strike. Rev. with small berries. Brilliant 

proof. Light olive. Very rare, only 18 struck, of 
these first early re-strikes. All the restrikes of the 
40’s and 1852 are on the reverse from the die ground 
down so as almost to eliminate some of the berries, 
of the 1849 large date. 

18 4 1 

194 G. No. 1. Original. Obv. Die cracked from third to seventh 

star. Proof, now with surface dull. Light brown 
color. Three small nicks in Rev. field. Very rare. 

195 G. No. 2. Re-strike. Proof. Light brown. Very rare. 

18 4 2 

196 G. No. 1. Original. Proof. Light orange Olive. Excessively 

rare. 

197 G. No. 2. Re-strike. Proof. Light olive. Very rare. 

18 4 3 

198 G. No. 1. Original. Proof. Obv. light brown partly red. 

Small spot between 4th and 5th star. Rev. light 
olive, partly red. Excessively rare. 

199 G. No. 2. Re-strike. Bright red. Dark spot between fifth 

star and border. Very rare. 

18 4 4 

200 G. No. 1. Original. Proof. Light brown with trace of red. 

Excessively rare. 

201 G. No. 2. Re-strike. Light brown olive. Very rare. 

18 4 5 

202 G. No. 1. Original. Ex. rare. Brilliant proof. Light olive 

color with traces of red. Excessively rare. 

203 G. No. 2. Re-strike. Proof. Light brown. Olive. Very 

rare. 


18 


204 

205 

206 

207 

208 
209 


210 


211 


212 

213 

214 


215 

216 


217 


218 


219 


18 4 6 

G. No. 1. Original. Proof. Iridescent olive color. Ex. 
Rare. 

G. No. 2. Re-strike. Brilliant proof red. Rev. iridescent. 

18 4 7 

G. No. 1. Original. Brilliant proof. Light brown partly 
red. Extremely rare. 

G. No. 2. Re-strike. Brilliant proof. Light brown. Iri¬ 
descent. Very rare. 

18 4 8 

G. No. 1. Original. Brilliant proof. Bright red. Ex. rare. 

G. No. 2. Re-strike, one of the second re-strikes of about 
1875 to 1880, with a high burr on edge and not fully 
up in center. Light olive. Proof. Rare. 

18 4 9 

G. No. 1. Small date. Original. Proof. Burr around up¬ 
per half of edge of obverse. Olive color. Two 
minute nicks on jaw. Excessively rare, only about 
five known. 

G. No. 2. Same obv. Rev. die with small berries used 
with the large date, struck for circulation. Re¬ 
strike of the early set of 1858. Proof. Obv. purple 
brown. Rev. red. Very rare. 

G. No. 3. Large date. Unc. Sharp stars. Brown. 

G. No. 3. Large date. Unc. Light olive brown. 

G. No. 3. Quarter turn to left. Ex. fine. 

18 5 0 

G. No. 1. Brilliant proof. Red partly iridescent. Rare. 

G. No. 1. Unc. Sharp. Yellow brown. 

18 5 1 

G. No. 1. Brilliant proof. Rare condition. 

18 5 2 

G. No. 1. Rev. large berries. Original. Obv. pitted with 
corrosion on face, neck and 2 of date and field and 
border before face and behind head. Very good. 
Light brown. Excessively rare, only 3 specimens 
known. 

G. No. 2. Rev. small berries. Re-strike. Brilliant proof. 
Very rare. No half cents were struck for circulation 
during this year. 


18 5 3 


19 


220 G. No. 1. Uncirculated. Light brown. 

18 5 4 

221 G. No. 1. Brilliant proof. Light olive red. Rare. 


18 5 5 

222 G. No. 1. Brilliant proof. Bright red. Rare. 

18 5 6 

223 G. No. 1. Brilliant proof. Iridescent olive. Rare. 

224 G. No. 2. Copper nickel. 88% copper, 12% nickel. Bril¬ 

liant Proof. Rare. 


18 5 7 

225 G. No. 1. Proof. Red. Rare. 

226 G. No. 1. Brilliant proof. Beautiful blue olive color. 

227 G. No. 1. Uncirculated. Light olive. 

228 G. No. 1. Die broken around edge on both sides. V. f. 

229 Duplicates. 1803, 4 (2), 5, 6, 9 (3) 1810. Very fair to fine. 

10 pcs. 

230 1825. G. 1 (4) G. 2. Good to fine. 5 pcs. 

231 1826, 28, 35, 49, 51 (2) 53, 5, 7, (2). Fine to Unc. 11 pcs. 

BOOKS 

232 Baker, W. S. Medallic Portraits of Washington. Complete 

catalogue with historical notes. 1 frontisplate. Quarto 
cloth. Half bound. Back chafed. Philadelphia 1885. 

233 Crosby, S. S. The Early Coins of America. Colonial, 

State, and Early U. S. Coins. Quarto. Half calf cloth. 
Corners chafed. Sprinkled edges. Has also extra plate 
of Connecticut and New Jersey Cents by Dr. Maris, in¬ 
serted. Rare. Boston 1875. 

235 Doughty, F. W. Cents of the United States. Wood cuts 

in text. 8vo paper. N. Y. 1890. 

236 Evans, G. G. History of the Mint, and description of Coin¬ 

age. Plates 8vo. Cloth. 1894. 

237 Frossard, E. United States Cents and Half Cents. Sm. 

4to. 9 plates. Hf. mor. New York 1879. 

238 Frossard and W. W. Hays. Cents of 1794. Second edi¬ 

tion with new varieties. Pub. by Thomas L. Elder. Small 
tall quarto. Cloth. 4 plates. New York 1910. 


20 


BOOKS 


239 Gilbert, E. Half Cents. Small, 4to cl. 6 pi. N. R. 1916. 

240 Humphreys’ Coin collector’s Manual. Plates. 8vo, Cloth. 

London 1887, but the text not revised since first ed. 
1849. Two vols. 

241 Low, Lyman H. Hard Times Tokens. 1837. Second edi¬ 

tion, also supplement 1906. Also set of 15 extra octavo 
plates, illustrating all the numbers. Lot. 

242 Venn, T. J. Half Cents. Brief treatise. 8vo. Paper. 1916. 

243 Adams-Woodin, Edgar H. and William H. U. S. Pattern 

pieces. Ill. in text. 8vo. Cloth. N. Y. 1913. 

CATALOGUES 

244 1910. Mougey Collection U. S. Coins by T. L. Elder. 1626 

lots. 8vo. paper. 42 plates. Cut down. Hand priced 
and list. Soiled. N. Y. 

245 1912. Earle Collection. Ancient, Modern and U. S. Coins, 

by Henry Chapman. 4to. Boards. Price list. Phila. 

1812. 

246 1914. Gable Collection of U. S. Gold, silver and copper 

coins, catalogued by S. H. Chapman. Portraits. 4to. 
Paper. Price list. Phila. 

247 1914. Parsons, George M. Collection American Colonial, 

U. S. and Canadian coins and medals, by Henry Chap¬ 
man. Quarto boards. Price list. Phila. 

248 1921. Jenks Collection. Coins of the World. Catalogued 

by same. 7300 lots. Quarto. Boards. Without price 
list. Phila. 

249 1920. Miller Collection. Roman, English and Early Ameri¬ 

can Coins, by T. L. Elder. 8vo. N. Y. 

250 1913. Elder. Rare Coin Book. List of prices of coins. 

Cuts. 8vo. paper. N. Y. 

251 1915. U. S. Gold, Silver and Copper Coins. 8vo. 7 plates. 

By B. M. Mehl. Manning Collection, 1920, by same. 2 

pcs. 

252 1922. Ten Eyck. Coins of the World. Small quarto. 6 

halftone plates. Price list. By same. 

253 1915. United States Coins. Small quarto. 7 plates. Cloth. 

By U. S. Coin Co. N. Y. 

254 1923. Beckwith Collection. U. S. Cents, by S. H. Chap¬ 

man. Finest set ever sold. 120 lots. 8vo. 7 plates. 

Phila. 

255 Scott, J. W. Price catalogues. Coins of the World. Gold 

and Silver. Same. Copper Coins. 1910-13 ed. 8vo. 
paper. 2 pcs. 


END 


PRICES 

REALIZED AT THE SALE OF THE COLLECTION OF 


THE LATE 

F. R. ALVORD 


Catalogued by S. H. CHAPMAN, Numismatist 
1128 SPRUCE STREET. PHILADELPHIA 
And sold by DAVIS & HARVEY, Auctioneers 
JUNE 9. 1924 


No . 

Brought 

1 . 

$ 15.25 

2 . 

15.75 

3 . 

3.00 

4 . 

23.00 

5 . 

7.50 

6 . 

22.00 

7 . 

3.75 

8 . 

68.00 

9 . 

12.50 

10 . 

3.50 

11 . 

11.25 

12 . 

2.75 

13 . 

65.00 

14 . 

2.25 

15 . 

12.50 

16 . 

7.00 

17 . 

17.50 

18 . 

8.00 

19 . 

8.50 

20 . 

6.25 

21 . 

3.00 

22 . 

38.50 

23 . 

2.25 

24 . 

2.00 

25 . 

3.85 

26 . 

2.00 

27 . 

3.10 

28 . 

7.75 

29 . 

1.35 

30 . 

2.25 

31 . 

10.25 

o 0 
o w * 

1.70 

O O 
o o . 

1.20 

34 . 

9.25 

35 . 

2.21 

36 . 

3.00 

37 . 

.55 

38 . 

40.00 

39 . 

2.80 

40 . 

1.40 

41 . 

.55 

43 . 

1.50 


No . 

Brought 

44 . . 

62 00 

45 . . 

16 . 0 f * 

46 . . 

1.05 

47 . 

Z 2.00 

48 . , 

28.00 

49 . . 

5.00 

50 . 

2.50 

51 . 

.65 

52 . 

2 2 .*0 0 

53 . 

2.60 

54 . 

6.00 

55 . 

80.00 

56 . 

27.00 

57 . 

41.00 

58 . 

. 100.00 

59 . 

10.75 

60 . 

1.00 

61 . 

.50 

62 . 

3.00 

63 . 

2.00 

64 . 

4.35 

65 . 

2.25 

66 . 

.50 

67 . 

.15 

68 . 

6.75 

69 . 

.30 

70 . 

2.80 

71 . 

1.50 

72 . 

1.60 

73 . 

3.85 

74 . 

3.85 

75 . 

1.00 

76 . 

2,20 

77 . 

1.50 

78 . 

.15 

79 . 

2.00 

80 . 

13.25 

81 . 

7.75 

82 . 

.35 

83 . 

9.00 

84 . 

.25 

85 . 

1.50 


No . 

Brought 

86 . . 

1.00 

87 . . 

.30 

88 . . 

12.00 

89 . . 

1.60 

90 . . 

1.10 

91 . . 

.25 

92 . . 

.30 

93 . 

3.10 

94 . 

.20 

95 . 

3.50 

96 . , 

3.10 

97 . 

2.25 

98 . 

.55 

99 . 

2.50 

100 . 

2.10 

101 . 

.55 

102 . 

3.10 

103 . 

.50 

104 . 

1.00 

105 . 

.50 

106 . 

10.00 

107 . 

.50 

108 . 

2.70 

109 . 

.55 

110 . 

4.25 

111 . 

1.00 

112 . 

12.00 

113 . 

4.00 

114 . 

7.75 

115 . 

5.25 

116 . 

2.25 

117 . 

2.40 

118 . 

1.00 

119 . 

.60 

120 . 

.20 

121 . 

7.00 

122 . 

2.10 

123 . 

1.00 

124 . 

2.85 

125 . 

3.00 

126 . 

2.85 

127 . 

3.00 


No . 

Brought 1 

128 . . 

.25 

129 . . 

1.25 

130 . . 

2.10 

131 . . 

6.00 

132 . . 

.80 

133 . . 

3.50 

134 . . 

.55 

135 . . 

.20 

136 . . 

1.00 

137 . . 

4.25 

138 . . 

.80 

139 . . 

2.10 

140 . . 

.50 

141 . . 

.55 

142 . , 

.45 

143 . 

.40 

144 . 

5.00 

145 . 

2.85 

146 . 

.80 

147 . 

2.35 

148 . 

1.25 

149 . 

1.80 

150 . 

1.00 

151 . 

10.25 

152 . 

4.25 

153 . 

16.00 

154 . 

1.10 

155 . 

.55 

156 . 

.50 

157 . 

1.70 

158 . 

.40 

159 . 

.25 

160 . 

.25 

161 . 

.55 

162 . 

6.50 

163 . 

.50 

164 . 

.60 

165 . 

.40 

166 . 

1.10 

167 . 

.60 

168 . 

.50 

169 . 

.50 


No . 

Brought 

170. . 

.20 

171. . 

51.00 

172. . 

39.00 

173. . 

.50 

174. . 

.20 

175. . 

.50 

176. . 

.10 

177. . 

.95 

178. . 

.25 

179. . 

1.00 

180. . 

4.25 

181. . 

3.75 

182., 

.20 

183. , 

4.10 

184. 

.30 

185. , 

4.25 

186. 

.50 

187. 

.25 

188. 

.20 

189. 

.20 

190. 

5.35 

191. 

40.00 

192. 

57.00 

193. 

39.00 

194. 

30.00 

195. 

27.00 

196. 

75.00 

197. 

39.00 

198. 

70.00 

199. 

36.00 

200. 

90.00 

201. 

40.00 

202. 

. 102.50 

203. 

45.00 

204 . 

80.00 

205. 

50.00 

206. 

72.50 

207 . 

40.00 

208. 

90.00 

209. 

46.00 

210. 

. 115.00 

211. 

. 105.00 








No. 

Brought 

212. 

.55 

213. 

.25 

214. 

.20 

215. 

6.00 

216. 

.25 

217. 

4.25 

218. 

32.00 

219. 

23.00 

220. 

.40 


No. Brought 

221.. 4.00 

222.. 5.00 

223.. 3.75 

224.. 6.75 

225. . $ 2.50 

226.. 2.00 

227.. .25 

228.. .80 

229.. .30 


No. Brought 

230.. .20 

231.. .25 

232.. 3.25 

233.. 27.00 

235.. 30.00 

236.. .05 

237.. 5.00 

238.. .50 

239.. 3.00 


No. 

Brought 

240.. 

.65 

241. 

13.00 

242. 

.10 

243. 

2.50 

244. 

1.00 

245. 

3.75 

246. 

1.00 

247. , 

.20 

248. . 

1.10 


No. 

Brought 

249. 

.25 

250. 

.10 

251. 

.20 

252. 

.40 

253. 

.50 

254. 

1.50 

255. 

2.40 





















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